App features that drive us crazy

July 2, 2015 4:00 AM

Photo: Foursquare

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Have your social outings been short on competition? Swarm, the check-in app from Foursquare, is here for you. The app is bringing back mayorships, meaning you'll be able to compete with all other Swarm users to be mayor of your favorite bar or cafe -- meaning that you use the app to check-in there more than anyone else. When this announcement came on June 22, we were reminded of all the unnecessary or annoying features in our favorite apps. Click through to check them out. less

Have your social outings been short on competition? Swarm, the check-in app from Foursquare, is here for you. The app is bringing back mayorships, meaning you'll be able to compete with all other Swarm users ... more

Photo: Foursquare

Have your social outings been short on competition? Swarm, the... Photo-8247615.112703 - seattlepi.com

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The apps you can't delete: This is a special problem for iPhone owners, who get a new app or two every time they update the iOS. (We're looking at you, Tips and Apple Watch.) The best way we've found to deal with this is to put the apps in a folder and forget about them. less

The apps you can't delete: This is a special problem for iPhone owners, who get a new app or two every time they update the iOS. (We're looking at you, Tips and Apple Watch.) The best way we've found to deal ... more

Photo: Shizuo Kambayashi, Associated Press

The apps you can't delete : This is a special problem for... Photo-8247617.112703 - seattlepi.com

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Similarly, there's the app update we didn't ask for, like U2's new album "Songs of Innocence," which appeared in our iTunes libraries after Apple's keynote address in September 2014. The album isn't bad (yes, I have listened to it), but it was an unusual surprise. less

Similarly, there's the app update we didn't ask for, like U2's new album "Songs of Innocence," which appeared in our iTunes libraries after Apple's keynote address in September 2014. The album isn't bad (yes, I ... more

Instagram search: Say you want to find actor Chris Pratt on Instagram. You search his name and a slew of Chris Pratts show up. They have his face, a version of his name and some very obvious clues that they're not the person you're looking for. On the upside, several of them also have a note in their bio that the real Chris Pratt, the one with a blue check mark, is @prattprattpratt. But why didn't he come up in the initial search? Why is this so hard? less

Instagram search: Say you want to find actor Chris Pratt on Instagram. You search his name and a slew of Chris Pratts show up. They have his face, a version of his name and some very obvious clues that they're ... more

Facebook pokes: The poke's heyday passed years ago, but the cryptic message is still here. You got a poke. What does it mean? Cue a think piece. Or BuzzFeed's article on "The 21 Types of Facebook Pokes."

Facebook pokes: The poke's heyday passed years ago, but the cryptic message is still here. You got a poke. What does it mean? Cue a think piece. Or BuzzFeed's article on "The 21 Types of Facebook Pokes."

Skills and endorsements on LinkedIn: Someone you haven't seen in five years endorsed you for a skill you developed last month. While it's a perfectly practical tool, the skill endorsements don't add value out in the wild, where there's no evidence that an endorser is familiar with your skills. less

Skills and endorsements on LinkedIn: Someone you haven't seen in five years endorsed you for a skill you developed last month. While it's a perfectly practical tool, the skill endorsements don't add value out ... more

Venmo and the payment note: You can't just transfer money on Venmo. Whoever initiates the transaction has to write a short note about the transaction. It adds a personal element. And it slows things down.

Venmo and the payment note: You can't just transfer money on Venmo. Whoever initiates the transaction has to write a short note about the transaction. It adds a personal element. And it slows things down.

While you were away... from Twitter: Twitter introduced this feature in January to "fill in some of those gaps" you missed while you weren't using the app. The recap feature gives the impression that you should never leave social media, or turn somewhere else for your news. It also asks for feedback every time you try to dismiss it. Which leads us to the next gripe... less

While you were away... from Twitter: Twitter introduced this feature in January to "fill in some of those gaps" you missed while you weren't using the app. The recap feature gives the impression that you should ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

While you were away... from Twitter : Twitter introduced this... Photo-8247624.112703 - seattlepi.com

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Rate This App: Feedback is good. What's not good is that one app in my phone that seeks an app store review every single time I open it -- and I'm required to open it often. Dear App, I think you're great, now please give me some space. less

Rate This App: Feedback is good. What's not good is that one app in my phone that seeks an app store review every single time I open it -- and I'm required to open it often. Dear App, I think you're great, now ... more

Photo: Sami Sarkis, Getty Images

Rate This App : Feedback is good. What's not good is that one... Photo-8247625.112703 - seattlepi.com

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Surge pricing: This is an obvious one for anyone who is useless at navigating the city without requesting an Uber or Lyft. Expect to pay way more than you want during large citywide events, like Bay to Breakers or Outside Lands. It pays to learn public transit. less

Surge pricing: This is an obvious one for anyone who is useless at navigating the city without requesting an Uber or Lyft. Expect to pay way more than you want during large citywide events, like Bay to Breakers ... more

Photo: Screenshot Of Uber App

Surge pricing : This is an obvious one for anyone who is useless... Photo-8247626.112703 - seattlepi.com